Making home improvements before selling can greatly increase your property’s appeal to prospective buyers or investors. There is also reason to believe that many home renovation and upgrade projects improve the chances of selling for a higher asking price, which, in the competitive and fluctuating housing market, is most welcome.

When it comes to adding value to your property, architectural improvements can make a vital difference. Compared to standard cosmetic updates to revitalise your living space, going a step further and improving the architectural layout can enhance your home’s market value, helping it sell for a higher price and at a faster rate. Whether it pertains to the creative design and internal layout, or adding extra rooms, these amazing architectural upgrades are worth considering if you’re planning to sell your home soon.

Showcasing Upgrades in the Right Way

To coin an adage that’s been used billions of times, a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, in the context of highlighting a property’s most eye-catching and appealing features, taking a visual-first approach is crucial. 

As a starting point, it’s worth taking high-quality photos to make your architectural upgrades shine when creating a listing for the property’s sale. Adding comprehensive listing descriptions and details should also complement the architectural improvements not always visible in images. However, it’s worth showcasing the meaningful additions and upgrades you’ve made as much as you can. 

Capture natural light, spotlight quality craftsmanship, include images of eco-friendly additions like solar panels, and use equipment to take photos from dramatic angles to accentuate features. Doing this will make a visually enticing first impression on buyers looking for a picturesque and thoughtfully designed home.

Now, let’s explore some potential architectural upgrades worth considering this year and beyond.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

It’s no secret that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, and are some of the most heavily-scrutinised features. This means that, if you’re planning to sell, consider giving all aspects of both these rooms an overhaul, from the flooring and tiles to cabinetry, appliances, and how to maximise space.

Open-plan kitchens are very popular right now, particularly if incorporating high-end countertops like quartz, tiled backsplashes, and stainless, uniform appliances and clean lines. Even in smaller kitchens, space utilisation is crucial.

Bathrooms, similarly, have seen an upward trend towards minimalist and contemporary designs. Dual or vessel sinks, stone surfaces, frameless shower doors and underfloor heating are very much all the rage right now. If your space allows for it, consider walk-in showers and adjustable countertops to give yourself more space.

Modernise With Smart Home Technology

While predominantly cosmetic in nature, it would be naive to ignore the influence of smart home technology. What was once a luxury is now highly sought-after in property transactions, with the worldwide smart home market projected to generate $154.5 billion in 2024. Consider overhauling your home’s features with automated solutions such as:

• Smart meters and thermostats: These give new buyers more control over energy usage.
• Smart lighting: Adjustable dimmers and voice-controlled switches bring homes into the 21st Century.
• Smart locks and doors: Keyless entry and remote opening functionalities allow homeowners to grant or refuse access to anyone, improving security.
• Electric vehicle chargers: At-home EV chargers offer convenience and sustainability benefits for new eco-conscious homeowners.

Beyond surface-level renovations, strategic architectural planning when upgrading your home can greatly boost its future sale price. Thoughtful improvements that capture desirable spaces and sustainability will save buyers remodelling and the associated refurbishment costs.

Extend Your Living Space

House extensions are a great way to add space and value to your property. While cosmetic kitchen renovations can improve aesthetic appeal, adding more space with a kitchen extension to create more dining and cooking space can be the perfect way to create an open-plan kitchen and eating area. 

Alternatively, investing in an ensuite bathroom for your master bedroom or installing an additional bathroom to the property can greatly increase buyer interest and appeal. Planning these additions will be money well spent in the long run; according to Resi, installing a new bathroom can increase the value of homes by 4-5%.

Consider a loft or basement conversion if these spaces are not being used. Turning one of these spaces into an additional bedroom, office, or multipurpose room with high-quality flooring, walls, lighting, and access will catch the eye of prospective buyers seeking additional space, especially those with large families or young children. A loft conversion, according to Unbiased, could add about 20% to a home’s value (24.5% if in London).

Build Outdoor Spaces 

Creating functional and inviting outdoor ‘rooms’ or spaces can definitely add that extra ‘wow factor’ to your home while enhancing your lifestyle. 

Decking, patios, or verandas with outdoor dining tables and chairs create an inviting and calming outdoor space that offers additional tranquillity during the warmer months. Garden upgrades like adding pathways and optimising the green space with shrubs, perennials, lightweight and weatherproof furniture, and water features can be an excellent addition to the home, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts.

Adding features like outdoor kitchens, pergolas, or fire pits can also elevate the appeal of your outdoor space and make it an enticing selling point. Outdoor kitchens, specifically, according to recent reports highlighted by Heart Smoke & Soal, could generate a ROI of 100-200% on homes. With the right planning permission and approval, if there’s sufficient space, you could also create an outbuilding that could double as an office space, additional bedroom, and functional room for hobbies or outside interests. 

Emphasise Sustainability

Many buyers today are highly conscious of energy efficiency and sustainable living. Therefore, upgrades should not exclusively be focused on providing comfort and convenience; they should – if possible – have an eco-friendly element to them.

There are many eco-friendly schemes and incentives to help homeowners make greener switches. These include the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), and the Great British Insulation Scheme, which are worth considering if you’re planning to overhaul your home’s energy system.

Consider the following:

• Solar panels: Solar energy systems can increase a home’s resale value while offsetting energy usage, particularly if using a solar battery alongside them.
• Rainwater collection: Consider installing systems that collect and recycle rainwater for irrigation and drainage.
• Heat pumps: Upgrade from standard oil or gas boilers to an energy-efficient system that takes energy – from the ground or air – dispensing it as either warm or cool air throughout the home.
• Insulation: Increasing wall, ceiling, and floor insulation reduces heating and cooling costs. Apply the same process by investing in energy-efficient windows that keep heat in during the winter months.

Plan Your Upgrades

In addition to increasing property value, architectural upgrades can greatly improve lifestyle and day-to-day comfort for homeowners. By investing in strategic changes that align with your vision and needs, you will not only create a home of greater value but one which offers you further happiness while you live there. 

Any architectural upgrade requires more forethought and investment, with careful consideration of budgets, lifestyles, and long-term goals. Consult architects, designers, and builders to ensure that the final result aligns with your vision and enhances your home’s short- and long-term appeal when the time comes to sell.